Systems, apparatus and devices for preventing towel slippage

ABSTRACT

Devices, apparatus and systems for preventing towels from slipping off a towel holder are disclosed. The apparatus, devices and systems may include a surface that provides a frictional interface between the towel and towel holder. The towel includes a first surface and an opposite surface. Preferably, at least one surface is made of all fabric, while the opposite surface includes a portion that prevents the towel from slipping off a towel holder. In one embodiment, an insert is sewn, stitched, or otherwise attached to the towel.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/825,427, filed May 20, 2013, the contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to systems, apparatus and/or devicesthat prevent towels from slipping off a towel holder, appliance handle,or the like. The systems, apparatus and devices may include a surfacethat provides a frictional interface between the towel and towel holder.

BACKGROUND

It is not uncommon for towels hung on a towel rack or handle of ahousehold appliance, such as an oven or dishwasher, to slip off and fallto the ground. Towels that slip off their holders and fall to the groundare an annoyance for most people, but can also be the source of pain anddiscomfort to individuals suffering from a physical condition that makesit difficult to regularly bend over and pick up fallen towels. Thepresent invention addresses this problem.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a device forpreventing a towel from slipping off of a towel holder. The device isattachable and removable from the towel holder and includes a towelcontacting surface and an opposed towel holder contacting surface. Thetowel contacting surface of the device provides a frictional interfacebetween the towel and towel holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the underside of a towel with a portionof the surface having a non-slip material;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front side of the towel of FIG. 1(which shows the non-slip portion applied to the opposed surface indashed lines);

FIG. 3 is a front view of a kitchen appliance with a towel made inaccordance with the present disclosure hung over the towel holder (e.g.,handle) of the appliance;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device made inaccordance with the present disclosure associated with a towel holder;

FIG. 6 is a towel holder and a device of FIG. 5 with a towel hung overthe device;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a device in accordance withthe present disclosure with a towel;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of a device in accordancewith the present disclosure applied to a towel holder;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the device of FIG. 9 with aplurality of gripping members on the outer surface thereof;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of thedevice in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the embodiment of the device of FIG. 11 in usewith a towel holder;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the device of FIG. 8 applied to a towel holderand a towel hung over the device; and

FIG. 14 is an end view of the device of FIG. 11 applied to a towelholder and a towel hung over the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term “towel holder” includes, but is not limited to,a towel rod attached to a wall, the handle of an appliance or otherunit, such as a drawer or other storage unit. A towel holder may includea rod, either tubular or non-tubular, or other elongated support member,whether located in the kitchen, bathroom, or any other room of a home,business or other facility. Thus, the present disclosure is directed toan apparatus, device or system that at least substantially preventstowels, cloths, rags and other articles made of fabric that may befolded and/or hung over a towel holder from slipping off the same. Thedevice or apparatus may be one that is removably associated with thetowel holder and/or may include a portion of the towel itself.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a towel madein accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. Towel 10includes a first end 12 and a second end 14. Towel 10 also includes afirst surface 16 and an opposite surface 18. Preferably, at least onesurface 18 is made of all fabric, while the opposite surface 16 includesa portion 20 that prevents towel 10 from slipping off a towel holder 22.Portion 20, in one embodiment, may include an insert that is sewn,stitched, or otherwise attached to towel 10. Preferably, portion 20 ismade of a non-fabric material (i.e., a material that is different fromthe woven fabric portion of the towel). Portion 20 provides a frictionalinterface with the surface of towel holder 22. In one embodiment, thefrictional interface may be provided by attaching a material having aselected tackiness or non-slip property. In another embodiment, thefrictional interface with holder 22 may be provided with portion 20having a selected texture, contour or pattern effective to prevent towelslippage.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the non-slip portion 20 may preferably be locatedsubstantially in the middle and on one surface 16 of towel 10. Morepreferably, portion 20 may be equally spaced from each end 12 and 14.Alternatively, portion 20 may be closer to one end than the other end.

Towel 10 of the type described above may be hung on any, typicallyelongated, towel holder 22. When used with an oven or other kitchenappliance that generates elevated temperatures, portion 20 maypreferably be made of a material that is substantially heat resistant.In one embodiment, the material of portion 20 should be capable ofwithstanding temperatures typically encountered at the handle of an ovensuch as, for example, up to about 100° F., 200° F., 300° F., 400° F. andup to about 500° F. without causing deformation, melting of portion 20,or the release of odors. An example of a suitable material that may beused for portion 20 is silicone and silicone-based materials. Of course,other suitable materials may also be used. As noted above, portion 20 oftowel 10 may be patterned, textured, or treated in other ways to providefriction between towel holder 22 and surface 16 of towel 10.

FIGS. 5-12 show another embodiment of an apparatus, device or system forpreventing towel slippage. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5-12, rather thanproviding the non-slip surface on the towel directly, towel holder 22may be temporarily modified to prevent towel slippage. FIGS. 5-12 showdevices 30, 40, and 50 that are usable (and reusable) with andattachable to and removable from towel holders 22. Device 30, 40includes a towel contacting surface 36 and a towel holder contactingsurface 38. Towel contacting surface 36 may be smooth in appearance ortextured but is otherwise made of a material that provides a frictionalinterface with the towel. As shown, for example, in FIG. 5, device 30may be a flexible sheet that is, itself, hung over a towel holder 22 ina generally U-shaped profile. Sheet 32 may be made of a suitablematerial which itself provides the appearance of a smooth (i.e.,non-roughened) surface but has a tacky, sticky or non-slip quality, suchas the above-identified silicone, rubber or other suitable material thatcan create a frictional interface with towel 100. Other materials whichdo not have a smooth finish such as certain foams or fabrics, may alsobe used. Alternatively, as noted above, sheet 32 may be textured,roughened, dimpled, matte-finished, cross-hatched, with upstandingmembers extending from towel contacting surface 36 or be otherwisepatterned to provide the necessary friction to substantially preventtowel slippage. When used with or near kitchen appliances that generateheat, the material used for device 30 is preferably heat resistant andcapable of withstanding temperatures typically encountered at the handleof an oven such as, for example, up to about 100° F., 200° F., 300° F.,400° F. and up to 500° F. without causing deformation, melting of thedevice 30, or the release of odors. In addition to being heat resistant,device 30 is preferably waterproof.

As further shown in FIGS. 5-7 and noted above, device 30 may be hung ina U-shape over towel holder 22. Opposing plies or portions of towelholder contacting surface 38 of device 30 may be fastened together, asshown in FIGS. 5-7, in any one or more of several ways. For example, asshown in FIGS. 5-6, facing plies or portions may be held together usingeasy-to-open fasteners 34. Alternatively, facing plies or portions ofsurface 38 may be held together by other types of commonly usedfastening means, such as Velcro® tabs or strips, magnets, tapes and thelike. In a further alternative, at least one portion of towel holdercontacting surface 38 may itself have a tacky or sticky and/orself-adhesive quality, at least on that portion that is intended to hangbelow towel holder 22. This allows plies to remain in contact withoutthe need for separate fasteners. For example, at least a portion oftowel holder contacting surface 38 may have an adhesive applied thereonin an amount and of a type that allows for (1) repeated adhesion of thefacing portions of towel holder contacting surface 38 and (2) easypeeling apart of the facing portions when the device is removed fromtowel holder 22. Of course, in another embodiment, opposing plies neednot be fastened or held together at all, and may simply hang freely fromthe towel holder 22. However, it may be preferable that the plies beheld together below holder 22, leaving a gap or space 39 between device30 and towel 100. By attaching opposing plies or portions of the device30 together and leaving a gap or space 39 between device 30 and thetowel 100, the user will be less likely to grab both device 30 and towel100.

Device 30 may have a length that is substantially coincident with thelength of a standard kitchen or bathroom cloth or towel or even slightlylonger than the length of the towel. Alternatively, device 30 may beshorter in length than the standard cloth or towel, as shown in FIG. 7,such that the user can easily grab an end of the towel 100 without alsoinadvertently grabbing device 30. Towel 10 may then be hung over device20.

An alternative embodiment of a device used to prevent slippage of towelsis shown in FIGS. 8-10. In this embodiment, device 40 may be provided asa curled, bent, generally cylindrical, or otherwise shaped sleeve memberthat is applied to towel holder 22. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.8-10, device 40 preferably takes on an at least partially cylindricalshape, although other shapes (even those having squared edges) may beused. As shown in FIG. 9, device 40 is provided as a curled,semi-cylindrical member having a first end 42 and a facing end 44.Device 40 may include an inner cavity 47 defined by towel contactingsurface 48. Ends 42 and 44 are separated by gap 45, which provides anopening to allow device 40 to be slipped or otherwise mounted onto (andremoved from) towel holder 22. Device 40 is sufficiently resilient sothat ends 42 and 44 can be pulled apart at gap 45 to allow for easymounting on and removal from towel holder 22. Device 40 may also includefasteners of the type described above, or other means for holdingopposing ends 42 and 44 together, if desired.

Towel contacting surface 46 of device 40 may be made of a suitablematerial that provides a frictional interface between towel holder 22and towel 100. The entire device 40 may be made of a single material,such as silicone or other material that provides the frictionalinterface. Surface 46 may have a smooth appearance and have a stickinessor tackiness to it, as described in the embodiment above. Alternatively,or in addition, outer surface 46 (i.e., towel contacting surface) may betextured, contoured, dimpled, or otherwise patterned or roughened toprovide a frictional interface, as described above in connection withdevice 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, towel contacting surface 46may include a plurality of dimples, raised surfaces, or other membersextending from surface 46.

As described in the previous embodiments, device 40 should be heatresistant to the temperatures (° F.) described above (up to 500° F.)without causing deformation, melting of the device 40, or the release ofodors. Device 40 is preferably waterproof, washable, easily-removable,repositionable and reusable.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a further embodiment of a device made in accordancewith the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, device 50 may be madesubstantially of a solid, resilient and conformable body 52. Body 52 mayinclude a cavity 54 that is defined by towel holder contacting surface57 and an expandable slit or gap 56 defined by an inner surface of body52. Inasmuch as the body 52 is made of a material that is conformable,device 50 may be pressed or pushed onto towel holder 22 at expandablegap 56, allowing the deformable inner cavity to conform to the shape oftowel holder 22, regardless of the shape. This allows for a tighter andmore conforming fit of device 50 to towel holder 22, as shown in FIG.12, that, if desired, can substantially prevent lateral or axialmovement of device 50 relative to towel holder 22. On the other hand,device 50 may be substantially conformable to towel holder 22, but stillallow for some movement (both laterally and axially) to allow forrepositioning of device 50, if desired. Devices of the type describedabove may also allow for snap-fit attachment to towel holder 22.Materials suitable for use in this embodiment include foams, rubber,polymeric materials and the like. The apparatus, devices and systemsdescribed herein are easily removable from towel holder 22. Likewise,they are preferably repositionable and reusable and transferable betweentowel holders of various shapes and sizes. They are compact orcompactable, making them easy to store and transport when not in use. Asdescribed in the previous embodiments, device 50 should be heatresistant to the temperatures (° F.) described above (up to 500° F.)without causing deformation, melting of the device 40, or the release ofodors. Device 50 is preferably waterproof, washable, easily-removable,repositionable and reusable.

As described above in connection with other embodiments, the outersurface or towel contact surface 58 of device 50 may be made of asuitable material that provides a frictional interface between towel 100and towel holder 22.

In that regard, surface 58 may have a mildly sticky or tacky property,or it may be textured, contoured, or otherwise patterned to provide thefrictional interface, as generally described above.

EXAMPLES

Without limiting any of the foregoing, the subject matter describedherein may be described in one or more devices, apparatus, or systems.For example, a first aspect of the present subject matter includes adevice for preventing a towel from slipping off of a towel holder,wherein the device is removable from the towel holder and the devicefurther includes a towel contacting surface and an opposed towel holdercontacting surface. The towel contacting surface provides a frictionalinterface between the towel and the towel holder.

A second aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with the first aspect described above wherein the deviceincludes a sheet having a first end and a second end. The sheet is madeof a non-fabric material sufficiently flexible to adopt a U-shapedprofile over the towel holder. The device is adapted for securing oneportion of the opposed towel holder contacting surface to an opposedportion of the towel holder contacting surface.

A third aspect of the present subject matter includes the device inaccordance with any one of the first or second aspects wherein at leastthe towel contacting surface incudes silicone.

A fourth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device of anyone of the first through third aspects described above wherein thedevice further includes fasteners in a mating configuration on opposingportions of the towel holder contacting surface.

A fifth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through fourth aspects describedabove wherein the device includes a first end and a second end facingthe first end and the ends are separated by a gap.

A sixth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through fifth aspects describedabove wherein the device includes a generally cylindrical sleeve member.

A seventh aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through sixth aspects describedabove wherein the device is made of a material that is substantiallyheat resistant up to approximately 500° F.

An eighth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through seventh aspects describedabove wherein the device includes a member having a resilient bodydefining an interior cavity that is substantially comformable to a towelholder.

A ninth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through eighth aspects wherein themember is substantially prevented from lateral or axial movement alongor about the towel holder.

A tenth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through ninth aspects describedabove, wherein the device is adapted for snap-fit attachment to a towelholder.

An eleventh aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through tenth aspects describedabove wherein the towel contacting surface includes a textured surface.

A twelfth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through eleventh aspects describedabove, wherein the textured surface comprises a plurality of grippingmembers on the surface.

A thirteenth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through third or fifth throughtwelfth aspects described above wherein at least one portion of thetowel contacting surface includes a peelable adhesive.

A fourteenth aspect of the present subject matter includes a device inaccordance with any one of the first through tenth aspects describedabove wherein the towel contacting surface includes a smooth appearanceand a tacky material.

A fifteenth aspect of the present subject matter includes the device ofany one of the first through eighth aspects and tenth through fourteenthaspects wherein the device is repositionable along the towel holder.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modification can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention claimedherein.

1. A device for preventing a towel from slipping off of a towel holder,said device being removable from said towel holder, said devicecomprising a towel contacting surface and an opposed towel holdercontacting surface, said towel contacting surface providing a frictionalinterface between a towel and a towel holder.
 2. The device of claim 1comprising a sheet having a first end and a second end, said sheet madeof material sufficiently flexible to adopt a U-shaped profile over atowel holder, said device adapted for securing one portion of said towelholder contacting surface to another facing portion of said towel holdercontacting surface.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein at least said towelcontacting surface comprises silicone.
 4. The device of claim 2 furthercomprising fasteners arranged in a mating configuration on said one andanother facing portions of said towel holder contacting surface.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said device comprises a first end and a secondend facing said first end, said ends separated by a gap.
 6. The deviceof claim 1 comprising a generally cylindrical sleeve member.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said device is made of a material that issubstantially heat resistant up to approximately 500° F.
 8. The deviceof claim 1 comprising a member having a resilient body defining aninterior cavity that is substantially conformable to a towel holder. 9.The device of claim 1 comprising a member that is substantiallyprevented from lateral or axial movement along or about said towelholder.
 10. The device of claim 1 adapted for snap fit attachment to atowel holder.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein said towel contactingsurface comprises a textured surface.
 12. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid textured surface comprises a plurality of gripping members on saidsurface.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one portion of saidtowel holder contacting surface comprises a peelable adhesive.
 14. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said towel contacting surface comprises asmooth appearance and tacking material.
 15. The device of claim 1wherein said device is repositionable along said towel holder.
 16. Thedevice of claim 2 wherein said sheet is made of a non-fabric material.17. The device of claim 2 wherein each of said first and second endscomprises a magnet.
 18. The device of claim 2 wherein said magnets areassociated with said one and another facing portions of said towelholder contacting surface.